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Definition: With a literal meaning of 'humbly receive', this is a code-mixing term used by working class Hong Kongers who work in Japanese companies to express politeness before starting to eat a meal, which is equivalent to "Let's eat" in English.
Usage: E.g. A: Itadakimas! B: 其實係唔係一定要講？A: 唔係，不過有禮貌啲囉。(A: Itadakimas! B: Do we actually have to say this? A: No, but it's more polite if we do.)
Synonym: 開飯喇, 唔客氣喇, Let's eat
Reference: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Itadakimasu
Definition: Often pronounced as ‘ah-lo’, this is a code-mixing term that native Hong Kongers use to refer to the letter ‘r’. Even though some Hong Kongers are aware of the prestigious ‘r’ that is pronounced rhotically, most of them choose not to say it in social situations because it sounds too pretentious like a fake American born Chinese.
Usage: E.g. 去日本旅行要搭JR。(Going on vacation in Japan needs taking the J Ah-lo.) E.g. 請問MTR喺邊到? (May I ask where is the M-tee-ah-lo?)
Synonym: Ah-lo
Definition: Originated from the Hong Kong Olympics sprint athlete '刁俊希', this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers when they feel like they cannot bother giving a f*** about something.
Usage: E.g. Should I study for this exam? Felix Diu!
Synonym: 費撚事屌
Reference: https://www.threads.com/@lovelovehannigram/post/DH8tkORpNQ2
Definition: (Kongish) When something goes completely wrong. Or doesn't work out (fail, flop)
Usage: Sei fo! We didn't prepare for the presentation today. It was a total flop!
Synonym: 死火
Definition: Often added with a ‘咗’ like the ‘-ed’ form in English for past tense, this is a code-mixing term that is used by working class Hong Kongers to refer to having completed something, such as an event or project.
Usage: E.g. 你地finish咗個project未呀？ E.g. 終於finish咗個event！
Synonym: 完成
Reference: https://www.businesstimes.com.hk/articles/157451/創新科技獎學金2024-挑選25位傑出大學生-每人最高15萬港元獎學金/
Definition: Used as '立flag', this is a code-mixing term used by local student Hong Kongers to refer to being very vocal about what you want to do, but end up doing something that is completely opposite.
Usage: E.g. 佢又立flag話以後會減肥，點知佢就走左食buffet。
Synonym: 立flag
Reference: https://www.timeout.com/hong-kong/things-to-do/cantonese-slang-you-need-to-know-right-now
Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing phrase used by native Hong Kongers to describe strenuous tasks that are almost impossible to complete.
Usage: E.g. Getting my son to do homework is like pulling a cow up the tree!
Synonym: 拉牛上樹
Reference: https://www.localiiz.com/post/culture-local-stories-popular-cantonese-idioms
Definition: Known as Kongish, this is a code-mixing term added to the end of verbs to express the meaning of completely or to a large extent. (晒 - saai3)
Usage: E.g. Mm goi sai! (Thank you so much!) 唔該晒 E.g. Dor jeh sai! (Thank you very much!) 多謝晒 E.g. Jo sai! (Done everything!) 做晒 E.g. Sik sai! (Eaten everything!) 食晒 E.g. Mo sai! (No more left!) 冇晒
Synonym: 晒
Reference: http://www.cantonese.sheik.co.uk/dictionary/characters/1592/
Definition: A romanised code-mixing term that real ABC’s like to use to refer to toilet. (廁所）
Usage: E.g. Excuse me? Where is the chee sor?
Synonym: 廁所
Definition: Derived from 'good game' in English, this is a code-mixing term that Hong Kongers use to refer to a bad situation, such as not completing work before a deadline. (完蛋了)
Usage: E.g. 今晚做唔哂Ｄ野真係ｇｇ喇。點算呀？(完蛋了)
Reference: https://www.csb.gov.hk/hkgcsb/eon/190/190/190_3.html